Cylinder Head - LH: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Montego, 2006 Ford Freestyle, and 2006 Ford Five Hundred. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

CAUTION: During engine repair procedures, cleanliness is extremely important. Any foreign material, including any material created while cleaning gasket surfaces, that enters the oil passages, coolant passages or the oil pan, can cause engine failure.

With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to JACKING & LIFTING .
Remove the lower intake manifold. For additional information, refer to LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD .
Remove the coolant bypass tube. For additional information, refer to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
Remove the LH camshafts. For additional information, refer to CAMSHAFT - LH .
Remove the LH exhaust manifold. For additional information, refer to EXHAUST MANIFOLD - LH .
Remove the oil level indicator and tube. For additional information, refer to OIL LEVEL INDICATOR AND TUBE .

CAUTION: The camshaft roller followers must be installed in their original positions.

Remove the camshaft roller followers.

CAUTION: The hydraulic lash adjusters must be installed in their original positions.

Remove the hydraulic lash adjusters.

NOTE: New cylinder head bolts must be installed. They are torque-to-yield designed and cannot be reused.

Fig 1: Identifying Removing Sequence Of Cylinder Head Bolts

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the bolts in the sequence shown.
Remove the cylinder head and support the cylinder head on a bench with the head gasket side up.
- Discard the gasket and the bolts.

NOTE: The straightedge used must be flat within 0.0051 mm (0.0002 in) per foot of tool length.

Inspect all areas of the deck face with a straightedge and feeler gauge. The cylinder head must not have depressions deeper than 0.0254 mm (0.0001 in) across a 38.1 mm (1.5 in) square area, or scratches more than 0.0254 mm (0.0001 in).